MACON, Ga. (Aug. 9, 2012) – The Atlantic Sun Conference released its 2012 Preseason Awards for men’s soccer on Thursday, tabbing ETSU as the favorite to win both the regular season and conference tournament by receiving six of the nine first-place votes.

Totaling 78 points from the coaches voting, ETSU finished three points ahead of last year’s regular season and tournament champion Florida Gulf Coast who defeated the Buccaneers 1-0 with a goal in the 89th minute of last season’s final. The Eagles received the three remaining first-place votes, with Stetson slotted to finish third.

ETSU also made up four members of the 12-man All-Atlantic Sun Team. The junior quartet consists of goalkeeper Ryan Coulter (Dublin, Ireland), midfielder Itode Fubara (Ogbema, Nigeria), forward David Geno (Kingsport, Tenn.) and defender Blaike Woodruff (Georgetown, Texas). Geno was a First Team All-Conference selection at the conclusion of the 2011 season, with Fubara making the Second Team. For Coulter and Woodruff, this marks the first time either has landed on a preseason or end of season list.

Of the superlative awards, Coulter was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year a season after setting the ETSU record for shutouts in a season with eight. Stetson’s Jonathan Mendoza was named Preseason Player of the Year, and the Hatters’ Luis Ocejo was selected Defensive Player of the Year.

The A-Sun also asked the fans to vote on a Preseason Player of the Year and who they thought would walk away with the regular season crown. With 367 votes, Coulter was voted Preseason Player of the Year, while ETSU earned 63 fan votes to also be named the A-Sun's Fan-Predicted Regular Season Champions.

Other members of the squad include Frederico Crespo, Deion Jones and Xavier Silva for FGCU; Kai Eckenrode from Stetson; Josh Shutter from Mercer; and John Kadane from USC Upstate. A tie in voting resulted in the 12-man team.

For more information on ETSU men’s soccer, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men’s soccer links.